White v. Massachusetts State Police

17 Mass. L. Rptr. 200
CourtMassachusetts Superior Court
DecidedNovember 18, 2003
DocketNo. 993959B
StatusPublished

This text of 17 Mass. L. Rptr. 200 (White v. Massachusetts State Police) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts Superior Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
White v. Massachusetts State Police, 17 Mass. L. Rptr. 200 (Mass. Ct. App. 2003).

Opinion

Hinkle, J.

In her amended complaint, plaintiff, who has been a Massachusetts State Police Trooper since October of 1994, alleges sex discrimination under G.L.c. 151B against all defendants (Count I). Plaintiff also alleges intentional interference with advantageous relations (Count II) and intentional infliction of emotional distress (Count III) against defendants William Fogarty and Ronald Gray.1

This matter is now before the court on two motions for summary judgment, one from the Massachusetts State Police and the other from the individual defendants. After a hearing and review of the pleadings and affidavits, the summary judgment motions are DENIED.

BACKGROUND

The following relevant facts are from the summary judgment record. The undisputed facts, and any disputed facts viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, follow.

Plaintiff Carolyn White became a trooper with the Massachusetts State Police (“the State Police”) in October of 1994. Defendant Fogarty (“Lt. Fogarty”) joined the State Police in 1972, serving as the station commander of the Brookfield barracks from October of 1995 until 2000. Lt. Fogarty had supervisory responsibility over plaintiff between May of 1996 to November of 1997. Defendant Gray (“Major Gray”) joined the State Police in 1992 and was promoted to Major of H [271]*271Troop in August of 1999, at which time he had supervisory responsibility over plaintiff.

Between October of 1995 and May of 1996, while plaintiff was stationed at the State House barracks, she consistently saw Playboy magazines at the front desk of the area occupied by the State Police, seven or eight times over a three-month period in the ladies room, and once in a desk drawer at another patrolled location. A personnel order relating to undergarments was placed in plaintiffs mailbox, after which she complained to the Sexual Harassment Unit of the State Police in November of 1995.

In May of 1996, plaintiff was transferred to the Brookfield barracks where Lt. Fogarty became her supervisor. At this time, of the 30 troopers stationed at the location, two were female. A pink triangle was left in plaintiffs mailbox, which she understood to be a lesbian symbol. Plaintiff believed Trooper John Vann had put the triangle in her mailbox. Plaintiff filed a complaint with the Sexual Harassment Unit of the State Police about the incident. After an investigation, a Trooper McGowan2 told plaintiff that he had placed the item in her mailbox and apologized for his actions. Plaintiff then asked the Sexual Harassment Unit to end its inquiry.

When plaintiff came to the Brookfield barracks, she observed a senior trooper, Robert Benoit, harassing a female trooper, Pamela Magill, without effective remedial action by Lt. Fogarty. Trooper Benoit referred to women as “bimbos” and “troopettes.” Dep. Magill 29 (Feb. 11, 2003). Lt. Fogarty was advised of Trooper Benoit’s behavior from Trooper Magill and union representative Kevin O’Grady, but Lt. Fogarty took no disciplinary action against Trooper Benoit.

On one occasion, Kevin Packard, a male trooper under Lt. Fogarty’s command, discharged his weapon into a package that had been retrieved from a suspect’s vehicle, which violated rules and regulations. Lt. Fogarty did not report Trooper Packard for the infraction or otherwise discipline him because Lt. Fogarty “didn’t want him to get in trouble.” Dep. Fogarty 36-37 (Dec. 2, 2002). While plaintiff was under Lt. Fogarty’s command, he reported her to a higher command for alleged infractions such as late arrival, untimely reports and damage to her cruiser windshield. When Lt. Fogarty thought plaintiff was late to work on one occasion, he made her work uncompensated overtime. On occasion, when male troopers were late, Lt. Fogarty did not discipline them. In November of 1996, Lt. Fogarty required plaintiff to undergo re-training through a work improvement plan. Lt. Fogarty had not used this re-training procedure for any other trooper under his command.

On January 9, 1997, one Richard Cabozzi led police on a chase which ended in a collision, after which Trooper Timothy Dowd and Major Gray were involved in a fight with Cabozzi. Plaintiff saw the struggle and a handgun on the ground near Cabozzi. When plaintiff attempted to pick up the gun, she lost her balance and hit her hand on the ground. When plaintiff approached Cabozzi, he started towards her, appearing to plaintiff as though he were going to spit on her. With her palm, plaintiff pushed Cabozzi in the head. At the scene, Major Gray congratulated plaintiff on her performance. Cabozzi showed no signs of injury after his arrest and made no complaint at the police station.

On January 28, 1997, Major Gray submitted a report to Lt. Fogarty stating that plaintiff had struck Cabozzi three times without justification, which plaintiff denies occurred. Before submitting this report Major Gray had been told by Lt. Fogarty that plaintiff was a “problematic” state trooper. Dep. Gray 81 (Dec. 13, 2002). Before reporting her to internal affairs, Major Gray did not speak to plaintiff to question her about the incident. Major Gray could have taken a range of actions with plaintiff, including counseling her or giving her a pass.

When Major Gray saw male police officers on prior occasions use inappropriate force after an arrest, he did not intervene or report them. At the time of the incident, Major Gray believed that plaintiffs conduct did not “warrant an arrest.” Dep. Gray 69. On November 6, 1997, on application of the State Police, a criminal complaint for assault and batteiy was filed against plaintiff, and she was placed on restricted duty. Plaintiff was thereafter tried on the assault and batteiy charge. At her trial, no witness corroborated Major Gray’s testimony that plaintiff struck Cabozzi three blows to his face. The juiy acquitted plaintiff on October 3, 1998.

In October of 1997, plaintiff applied for a hardship transfer to be near her father who was dying of cancer. When Lt. Fogarty was told that plaintiffs request had been granted, he became upset and placed a telephone call. Plaintiff was later told that her request had been denied. In 10 years as union representative, Kevin O’Grady had not seen a request for a hardship transfer denied except for that of plaintiff. According to O’Grady, male troopers at the Brookfield barracks were granted hardship transfers under similar circumstances.

Plaintiff was transferred to the communications section of H Troop in November of 1997 after being placed on restrictive duty. The communications section of H Troop was located in Boston. The section received and transmitted calls and was otherwise responsible for all communications between barracks and cruisers. The room housing the communications section was about 50 feet by 30 feet in dimensions. In early 1998, while she was stationed at H Troop, plaintiff was watching a Martha Stewart cooking show with Trooper Ashe, who was her acting supervisor. During the show, Trooper Ashe commented to plaintiff that he could not watch the show because it was too “sensual.” Dep. White 351 (Aug. 21, 2002). Trooper Ashe also said that any woman who could cook like that had to [272]*272be a great or good lover. Around Valentine’s Day, Trooper Ashe wanted to watch a television talk show featuring love and sex. Plaintiff said that she did not want to watch the show, and while Trooper Ashe was on the telephone, turned the channel.

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Bluebook (online)
17 Mass. L. Rptr. 200, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/white-v-massachusetts-state-police-masssuperct-2003.